What is an Ecosystem?

Biome’s climate and plants

An ecosystem is a system in which organisms interact with each other and Biome Location Temperature Rainfall Flora Fauna
with their environment.
Tropical Centred along the Hot all year (25-30°C) Very high (over Tall trees forming a canopy; wide Greatest range of different animal
Ecosystem’s Components rainforest Equator. 200mm/year) variety of species. species. Most live in canopy layer

Abiotic These are non-living, such as air, water, heat and rock.
Tropical Between latitudes 5°- 30° Warm all year (20-30°C) Wet + dry season Grasslands with widely spaced Large hoofed herbivores and
grasslands north & south of Equator. (500-1500mm/year) trees. carnivores dominate.
Biotic These are living, such as plants, insects, and animals.

Flora Plant life occurring in a particular region or time. Hot desert Found along the tropics Hot by day (over 30°C) Very low (below Lack of plants and few species; Many animals are small and
of Cancer and Capricorn. Cold by night 300mm/year) adapted to drought. nocturnal: except for the camel.
Fauna Animal life of any particular region or time.
Temperate Between latitudes 40°-60° Warm summers + mild Variable rainfall (500- Mainly deciduous trees; a variety Animals adapt to colder and
Food Web and Chains forest north of Equator. winters (5-20°C) 1500m /year) of species. warmer climates. Some migrate.

Simple food chains are useful in

explaining the basic principles Tundra Far Latitudes of 65° north Cold winter + cool Low rainfall (below Small plants grow close to the Low number of species. Most
behind ecosystems. They show only and south of Equator summers (below 10°C) 500mm/ year) ground and only in summer. animals found along coast.
one species at a particular trophic
level. Food webs however consists
of a network of many food chains Found within 30° north – Warm water all year Wet + dry seasons. Small range of plant life which Dominated by polyps and a
interconnected together. Coral Reefs south of Equator in round with temperatures Rainfall varies greatly includes algae and sea grasses that diverse range of fish species.
tropical waters. of 18°C due to location. shelters reef animals.

Nutrient cycle CASE STUDY: UK Ecosystem: Epping Forest, Essex

Plants take in nutrients to build into new

Unit 1b This is a typical English lowland deciduous woodland. 70% of the area is designated as

The Living World

organic matter. Nutrients are taken up when a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) for its biological interest, with 66 %
animals eat plants and then returned to the soil designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
when animals die and the body is broken down
by decomposers. Components & Interrelationships Management

Litter This is the surface layer of Spring Flowering plants (producers) such as
vegetation, which over time Tropical Rainforest Biome bluebells store nutrients to be eaten by - Epping has been
breaks down to become humus. consumers later. managed for centuries.
Tropical rainforest cover about 2 per cent of the Earth’s surface yet they are - Currently now used for
home to over half of the world’s plant and animals. Summer Broad tree leaves grow quickly to recreation and
Biomass The total mass of living conservation.
organisms per unit area. maximise photosynthesis.
- Visitors pick fruit and
Interdependence in the rainforest berries, helping to
Autumn Trees shed leaves to conserve energy disperse seeds.
Biomes due to sunlight hours decreasing.
A rainforest works through interdependence. This is where the plants and - Trees cut down to
animals depend on each other for survival. If one component changes, there encourage new growth
A biome is a large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, Winter Bacteria decompose the leaf litter, for timber.
which are adapted to that particular environment. The climate and geography can be serious knock-up effects for the entire ecosystem. releasing the nutrients into the soil.
of a region determines what type of biome can exist in that region.
Distribution of Tropical Rainforests Layers of the Rainforest
Coniferous
forest Emergent Highest layer with trees reaching 50 metres.
Tropical rainforests are centred along the
Equator between the Tropic of Cancer and
Deciduous Capricorn. Rainforests can be found in South Canopy 80% of life is found here as It receives most of
forest America, central Africa and South-East Asia. the sunlight and rainfall.
The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest
Tropical and takes up the majority of northern South U-Canopy Consists of trees that reach 20 metres high.
rainforests America, encompassing countries such as
Brazil and Peru. Shrub Layer Lowest layer with small trees that have
Tundra adapted to living in the shade.

Rainforest nutrient cycle Climate of Tropical Rainforests

The most productive biomes – which have the greatest
biomass- grow in climates that are hot and wet.
Temperate
grasslands The hot, damp conditions on the forest floor allow for the rapid
decomposition of dead plant material. This provides plentiful
Tropical nutrients that are easily absorbed by plant roots. However, as these
grasslands nutrients are in high demand from the many fast-growing plants,
they do not remain in the soil for long and stay close to the surface.
If vegetation is removed, the soils quickly become infertile.
Hot deserts.
• Evening temperatures rarely fall below 22°C.
• Due to the presence of clouds, temperatures rarely
rise above 32°C.
• Most afternoons have heavy showers.
• At night with no clouds insulating, temperature drops.
 Tropical Rainforests: Case Study Malaysia Hot Desert: Case Study Thar Desert – India/Pakistan

Malaysia is a LIC country is south-east Asia. 67% of Malaysia is a tropical rainforest with 18% of it not being interfered with. The Thar Desert is located on the border between India and Pakistan in Southern Asia. With India soon becoming the
However , Malaysia has the fastest rate of deforestation compared to anywhere in the world most populated country in the world in the next five years. With this, more people will plan to live in the desert.

Adaptations to the rainforest Rainforest inhabitants Distribution of the world’s hot deserts Major characteristics of hot deserts

Orangutans Large arms to swing & support in the tree canopy. Many tribes have developed sustainable ways of Most of the world’s hot deserts are found in • Aridity – hot deserts are extremely dry,
survival. The rainforest provides inhabitants with… the subtropics between 20 degrees and 30 with annual rainfall below 250 mm.
Drip Tips Allows heavy rain to run off leaves easily. • Food through hunting and gathering. degrees north & south of the Equator. The • Heat – hot deserts rise over 40 degrees.
• Natural medicines from forest plants. Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn run • Landscapes – Some places have dunes,
• Homes and boats from forest wood. through most of the worlds major deserts. but most are rocky with thorny bushes.
Lianas & Vines Climbs trees to reach sunlight at canopy.

Issues related to biodiversity What are the causes of deforestation? Hot Deserts inhabitants Climate of Hot Deserts

Why are there high rates of biodiversity?
• Warm and wet climate encourages a
wide range of vegetation to grow.
• There is rapid recycling of nutrients to
speed plant growth.
• Most of the rainforest is untouched.
Main issues with biodiversity decline
• Keystone species (a species that are
important of other species) are
extremely important in the rainforest
ecosystem. Humans are threatening
these vital components.
• Decline in species could cause tribes
being unable to survive.
• Plants & animals may become extinct.
• Key medical plants may become extinct.
Impacts of deforestation
Economic development
+ Mining, farming and logging creates
employment and tax income for government.
+ Products such as palm oil provide valuable
income for countries.
- The loss of biodiversity will reduce tourism.
Soil erosion
Logging
• Most widely reported cause of
destructions to biodiversity.
• Timber is harvested to create
commercial items such as
furniture and paper.
• Violent confrontation between
indigenous tribes and logging
companies.
Mineral Extraction
• Precious metals are found in the
rainforest.
• Areas mined can experience soil
and water contamination.
• Indigenous people are
becoming displaced from their
land due to roads being built to
transport products.
Energy Development
• The high rainfall creates ideal
conditions for hydro-electric
power (HEP).
• The Bakun Dam in Malaysia is
key for creating energy in this
developing country, however,
both people and environment
have suffered.
Agriculture
• Large scale ‘slash and burn’ of
land for ranches and palm oil.
• Increases carbon emission.
• River saltation and soil erosion
increasing due to the large areas
of exposed land.
• Increase in palm oil is making
the soil infertile.
Tourism
• Mass tourism is resulting in the
building of hotels in extremely
vulnerable areas.
• Lead to negative relationship
between the government and
indigenous tribes
• Tourism has exposed animals to
human diseases.
Road Building
• Roads are needed to bring
supplies and provide access to
new mining areas, settlements
and energy projects.
• In Malaysia, logging companies
use an extensive network of
roads for heavy machinery and
to transport wood.
- People often live in large • Very little rainfall with less than 250 mm per
open tents to keep cool. year.
- Food is often cooked slowly • It might only rain once every two to three years.
in the warm sandy soil. • Temperate are hot in the day (45 °C) but are cold
- Head scarves are worn by at night due to little cloud cover (5 °C).
men to provide protection • In winter, deserts can sometimes receive
from the Sun. occasional frost and snow.
Adaptations to the desert Desert Interdependence
Cactus • Large roots to absorb water soon after
rainfall. Different parts of the hot
• Needles instead of leaves to reduce desert ecosystem are
surface area and therefore transpiration. closely linked together
and depend on each
Camels • Hump for storing fat (NOT water). other, especially in a
• Wide feet for walking on sand. such a harsh
• Long eyelashes to protect from sand. environment.
Opportunities and challenges in the Hot desert
Opportunities Challenges
• There are valuable minerals for industries and • The extreme heat makes it difficult to work outside for
construction. very long.
• Energy resources such as coal and oil can be found in the • High evaporation rates from irrigation canals and
Thar desert. farmland.
• Great opportunities for renewable energy such as solar • Water supplies are limited, creating problems for the
power at Bhaleri. increasing number of people moving into area.
• Thar desert has attracted tourists, especially during • Access through the desert is tricky as roads are difficult
festivals. to build and maintain.

- Once the land is exposed by deforestation,

the soil is more vulnerable to rain.
- With no roots to bind soil together, soil can
easily wash away.
Climate Change
-When rainforests are cut down, the climate
becomes drier.
-Trees are carbon ‘sinks’. With greater
deforestation comes more greenhouse
emissions in the atmosphere.
-When trees are burnt, they release more
carbon in the atmosphere. This will enhance
the greenhouse effect.
Sustainability for the Rainforest Causes of Desertification Strategies to reduce Desertification
Uncontrolled and unchecked exploitation can cause irreversible damage such Desertification means the turning of Climate Change • Water management - growing
as loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and climate change. semi-arid areas (or drylands) into Reduce rainfall and rising temperatures crops that don’t need much water.
deserts. have meant less water for plants. • Tree Planting - trees can act as
windbreakers to protect the soil
from wind and soil erosion.
Possible strategies include: Fuel Wood Overgrazing • Soil Management - leaving areas of
• Agro-forestry - Growing trees and crops at the same time. It prevents soil People rely on wood for fuel. This Too many animals mean plants are land to rest and recover lost
erosion and the crops benefit from the nutrients. removal of trees causes the soil to be eaten faster than they can grow back. nutrients.
• Selective logging - Trees are only felled when they reach a particular exposed. Causing soil erosion. • Technology – using less expensive,
height. sustainable materials for people to
• Education - Ensuring those people understand the consequences of maintain. i.e. sand fences, terraces
deforestation Over-Cultivation Population Growth to stabilise soil and solar cookers to
• Afforestation - If trees are cut down, they are replaced. If crops are grown in the same areas A growing population puts pressure on reduce deforestation.
• Forest reserves - Areas protected from exploitation. too often, nutrients in the soil will be the land leading to more deforestation,
• Ecotourism - tourism that promotes the environments & conservation used up causing soil erosion. overgrazing and over-cultivation.